The first peonies of the year are always cause for eye candy, I think. This is the first peony in bloom in my garden this year -- from a plant that I put in the ground about 2 years ago in celebration of he coming of our baby daughter. This plant has definitely adopted the "bloom where you're planted" motto, because it has tripled or quadrupled in size since it was transplanted into our front yard. There must be 20 or 30 big white and pink flecked blooms ready to burst out right now. With so many flowers to come, I may be able to harvest a few to come inside to enjoy -- something I've never been able to do before.
This lovely flower is not the only lovely flower that is blooming in my midst.
The baby who was celebrated by the flower is well on her way to being a little girl. At just past 22 months, it is getting harder and harder to see any of the baby. But I can hardly complain. The little girl who is emerging is an incredible treasure and surprises me every day. Who new that she could climb up the ladders at the park that led to the tallest slides and that she was brave enough to go down the slide on her own? She remembers words like nobody's business and can now clearly express herself in complicated sentences. She has only one "speed" -- flat out run. She loves butterflies, owls, riding on her father's shoulders and all of her grandparents. Just recently I got my first "I love you, Momma" -- and given her facility with language, I know she means it. She loves to explore everything and wants to know how everything works. She's an excellent car traveller, so much that we're considering a big trip to an island in the Pacific Ocean this summer. When I think about the fact that this time last year she wasn't even really walking yet, she just amazes me even more. The older she gets, the more she makes my heart sing. Momma loves you, baby girl -- even if you aren't quite a baby any more.
This lovely flower is not the only lovely flower that is blooming in my midst.
The baby who was celebrated by the flower is well on her way to being a little girl. At just past 22 months, it is getting harder and harder to see any of the baby. But I can hardly complain. The little girl who is emerging is an incredible treasure and surprises me every day. Who new that she could climb up the ladders at the park that led to the tallest slides and that she was brave enough to go down the slide on her own? She remembers words like nobody's business and can now clearly express herself in complicated sentences. She has only one "speed" -- flat out run. She loves butterflies, owls, riding on her father's shoulders and all of her grandparents. Just recently I got my first "I love you, Momma" -- and given her facility with language, I know she means it. She loves to explore everything and wants to know how everything works. She's an excellent car traveller, so much that we're considering a big trip to an island in the Pacific Ocean this summer. When I think about the fact that this time last year she wasn't even really walking yet, she just amazes me even more. The older she gets, the more she makes my heart sing. Momma loves you, baby girl -- even if you aren't quite a baby any more.
You must know what an incredible picture that is -- beautiful child framed by the trees. Does it get any better?
She's just beautiful. Did you make her sweater? It seems like yesterday that she was born. I started reading your BLOG about 6 months before that. Have a great trip!
It's so interesting to observe the development of a child's mind - especially when it's your own child!
My son is just a few months older than Miss Z, and I remember having a crisis when I took some photos of him, uploaded them to the computer, and realized they were of a little boy, not a baby any more. I was left wondering how and when it had happened and why I hadn't noticed it.
What a beautiful photo! She looks full of fun and adventure.
It's peony day! Carole and Jessa Lu and you posted peony pictures. Nice. Baby girl is getting so big and she's so beautiful, too! Nice shot!
She is so sweet looking!
I look forward to the peonies blooming every year. Each year I live in our house I appreciate our garden more.
I love that picture! She has such a twinkle in her eye!
She's pretty! I remember when my first daughter turned 3, just before her sister was born. I looked at her and thought, she's all grown up, doesn't look like a baby anymore. But then, a year later when I looked back at the photos, and compared them to her in real life, I saw that she still really had been a baby then, but I missed it by comparing her to the year before that. So with #3, I keep the baby image and don't ever think she's looking older, LOL.
I remember when my second child turned 3, just before the baby was born. I looked at her during the party and thought she looked so big and not a baby anymore. But a year later, I looked at the photos of her party and realized that compared to her turning 4, she REALLY was still looking like a baby when she turned 3, and I sort of missed out on another year of 'babyness' with her. She was also a very mature 3. Baby #3 is more chubby now at 3 1/2 than as a newborn, and is not very mature (esp. with speech) so she really, really, still has a baby look. Although she's as tall as a 5 year old, LOL.
That picture of Mlle Z just has to make one smile! She is a lovely girl.
Beautiful picture of an exquisite child! It even makes the Festiva Maxima peony pale in comparison. Truly.